SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 13, 2009--
Applied Materials, Inc. today introduced its Applied SmartMove™
system, the semiconductor industry’s first comprehensive wafer
management solution for non-automated 200mm and 300mm fabs. The
SmartMove system brings new efficiency to these fabs, seamlessly
integrating with customers’ existing MES* software to wirelessly track
and direct the movement of wafer lots. With the SmartMove system, users
can boost factory output by up to 10%, and typically realize a return on
their investment in less than 9 months.
“The SmartMove system can be a game-changer for customers with mature
fabs, delivering the key benefits of robotic handling systems at a
fraction of the cost,” said Manfred Kerschbaum, senior vice president of
Applied Global Services. “This end-to-end, non-robotic wafer management
system uniquely integrates world-class software, hardware and service
into a single, low-risk solution. The SmartMove system is a great
example of our commitment to helping customers unlock additional fab
efficiency and maximize the value of their existing assets in a very
short time.”
The SmartMove system integrates Applied’s production-proven Activity
Manager™ workflow automation software with LotTrack®
technology from Intellion AG, an innovative radio frequency and
ultrasound-based wafer carrier tracking system. Using SmartMove
technology, a customer’s MES is continuously updated with the exact
location of every wafer carrier. This location-aware capability enables
the MES to optimize operator efficiency by sending “attention needed”
and “where next” data to display panels on each carrier, freeing
operators from manual data entry, eliminating misplaced lots and
reducing cycle time.
Rapid deployment of the SmartMove system at a customer site is assured
by non-intrusive hardware and by pre-configured software that requires
no MES code changes, eliminating the risk of a production failure during
deployment. Applied’s experienced factory automation engineers perform
installation and testing, as well as provide on-going technical support.
The Activity Manager application is built on Applied’s common automation
software architecture, enabling the easy integration of additional
software packages, such as the Applied Real-Time Dispatcher™
(RTD), for even greater operational efficiency.
For more information on the SmartMove System, visit www.appliedmaterials.com/products/smartmove_2.html.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in
Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of
innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication
of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells,
flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials,
we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live.
Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
* MES = manufacturing execution system
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Source: Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied Materials
Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (editorial/media)
Michael
Sullivan, 408-986-7977 (financial community)
